McKeon: Time for Two Sides to Cooperate

Despite the political rancor during the 12-day-old government shutdown, lawmakers have "actually found some common ground," California Republican Rep. Buck McKeon said Saturday.

Delivering the weekly Republican address, McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, pointed to bipartisan agreements over the past week that honor the nation's military members and civilians in support roles — and the grieving families of fallen soldiers.

Then, McKeon said, the president should work with lawmakers to reopen the entire government — and avert a default on the nation's debts.

"Sitting down and resolving our differences is exactly what Americans expect their leaders to do," McKeon said, noting talks between House Republicans and Obama that began Thursday are continuing.

McKeon said the political "back-and-forth" during the shutdown is not "typical Washington drama."

"It’s about you and your family," he said, as well as jobs, protecting U.S. troops and their families, "fairness for everyone under the president’s health care law" and "stemming the tide of debt and deficits."